A Busy Bee Christmas.

I'm still here, I promise! :)

I feel bad about the fact that my blog often feels like a burden to me. I am always aware that it's just sitting here, waiting for me to post something new all the time. It's like it's nagging at me whenever I turn my computer on! I blame that on the fact that I had to write 5 major papers and a few more minor ones before the break, so my blog felt like it was just another assignment to add to my stack of work. I'd have to come up with a topic, then stare at my computer screen while I created something that would pass as clever. 

(Funny thing, I'm supposed to be doing another major paper, that's due on January 4th. But..uh..I'm not. Obviously.)

Whine, whine, whine.

Anyways, I love Christmas and everything leading up to it (sure, shopping for gifts is always very stressful for me, but I do like giving). One of the worst feelings in the world, though, is when I realize that Christmas is over once again. It comes and goes so quickly each year! But, some of the best feelings come from looking back on each Christmas, and remembering why I always love it as much as I do.

Before this starts, though, let me just say that I placed the pictures ever-so-nicely, only to realize that they don't show up that way after I publish the post. Grr. It took me so long too! Never again am I doing a post like this. But, you know...enjoy!

This year, I came home to my parents house on December 21st, after a long day of shopping.

The drive from my current location to my hometown is only 20 minutes, but I enjoyed every second of it! The hoarfrost was so thick on every tree and wire, which made for some beautiful scenery! 

We had a very white Christmas this year, which always puts me in the Christmas spirit! The photo above is what our backyard looked like when I arrived home.

Speaking of being in the Christmas spirit, my mom did a wonderful job of decorating the house. Garland, lights, angels, candy canes, bows, and the Christmas tree (and the dogs, of course) greeted me right when I got to the house!

                   

             

I was already excited to come home, but seeing all of the decorations filled me with the warmest of feelings! I always remember decorating the house with Mom, listening to Christmas music, while picking out ornaments and putting them on the tree. I got some well need relaxation time that night, and I could not remember the last time I had felt so content!

On December 22nd, my two sisters and I had appointments to get our tattoos. We had the appointments booked for over a month, and we were all very excited, and just a little bit nervous to actually get them done. We are all very happy with how they turned out!

My oldest sister came up with idea for us to form the letters of our first names in sign language for the picture. The black triangle represents our birth order (I'm on the right, and I'm the youngest).

On December 23rd, I had a lot going on! First, I went with my mom and dad to the Tarbolton district, where my mom's side of the family lives. We helped the other members of the community decorate the old country church, where our Christmas Eve service is held each year. After we finished that, my family and I jumped on the back of "Ol' Blue" and headed to the field in which we went tobogganing, singing Christmas carols on the way. I only got to go down the hill a few times, but it was still a blast! It was freeeeeezing, though!

My cousins's boyfriend, my two cousins, and my aunt.

One of the many pictures I took before I had to leave. ----------------------------------------->

After about an hour drive, I wound up at my Dylan's parents' place, where his family was expecting me for supper. We ate, played a gift exchanging game, and then played a game of "Chase the Ace". Once everyone left, Dylan and I exchanged one gift each, and left the others for Boxing Day. 

The bag was almost as big as me! Inside of it was an extremely comfy pillow that I LOVE (not quite as much as him). :)

The next day, Christmas Eve, my family and I headed back out to the Tarbolton church in the evening. It has been a tradition for 14 years that my sisters and I sing at the service and, this year, my oldest sister and I sang "A Holly Jolly Christmas" with, what we call, a "Tarbolton Twist" (that's where I change up the words to a song that everyone knows to make it all about Tarbolton). We had a great time, as we always do. The Tarbolton Christmas Eve Service is such a huge part of my life and I can't imagine the holiday season without it! It makes my Christmas what it is and I always look forward to going.

Beautiful candles, huh? Can you tell that their fake? :P

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My cousins, showcasing their talents at the service (singing and playing the violin).

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My family always starts Christmas Day rather late. We sleep in, eat, shower, wait for the other sister/daughter to come along, we visit, and then we start opening gifts. We had a wonderful morning and afternoon, filled with giving, receiving, love, and thankfulness. I absolutely adore having my family together. It's not ever day that we can all be together, as my oldest sister lives about 4 hours away, and we all have very busy schedules to work around. But, we all love being together as a family, and our Christmas was, I'm sure, more than we all could have asked for. One of my grandmas and two of my uncles came over for a delicious supper. We all opened Christmas Crackers, visited, and watched the "Pawn Stars" marathon. ;)

As I mentioned, Dylan and I exchanged our gifts on Boxing Day. It is extremely hard for us to be apart during the holidays, since we are so used to being together during the rest of year. It seems unfair that we can share each day together, except for holidays, usually, but our reunions are so wonderful, since we miss each other so much. Dylan got me some very, very fantastic gifts and I was so thankful to be able to be with him and give him the gifts that I got for him. We spent Boxing Day and most of December 27th together in pure contentment. We are both very much looking forward to the New Year, when we can continue to grow as individuals and as a couple, and accomplish even more than we did in 2012. I am so extremely thankful for, in no particular order, my family, my closest friends, and my Dylan, as well as all of the opportunities I have. This busy bee feels so blessed to have everything and everyone that she has in her life. Thank you for being a part of my 2012, and I hope you look forward to 2013 as much as I do!!